Amusement device



G. D. FLEAK AMUSEMENT DEVICE `uly 3, 1934.

Filed Sept. 3, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

250G/29010: D. Fl eak Glen @WM July 3, 1934.

G. D. FLEAK 1,965,140

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. I4

Glen D. Fleak uy 3, 1934. Q D, FLE-AK 1,965,140

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed sept. 5. 1952 4 sheets-sheet 4 Figli `rl0elZQWfGlen D. Fleak f line, a magnet, properly located, swerves Patented July3, 1934 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Glen D. Fleak, Beaumont, Tex., assignor ofonehalf to Wilfred Donald Fieak, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 3, 1932, Serial No. 631,613

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the type of machine that extends to the playeror players, the privilege of amusing themselves by the insertion of acoin of proper denomination in the coin chute provided for that purpose;making its operation independent of proprietor or attendant.

One of the principal objects of this machine is to incorporate in itsconstruction, mechanism of a nature and so responsive to the touch thatthe desired results are secured in direct relation to the respectiveskill the player displays.

Still another advantage of this machine is the incorporation of theelement, time; in connection with its operation, thus affording theadded incentive of competing with other players for lower scores, orshorter length of time of operation.

Another object of the machine is to provide the means whereby two playrs may simultaneously compete with each other, each endeavoring to provehis superior sldll by accomplishing the required results ahead of hiscompetitor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel method ofdemonstrating the players respective skill. This is accomplished bymeans of a small thumb lever, which, when manipulated by player,projects a ball upward in a channel to a height within its limits,depending directly on the force exerted by the player.

It is readily seen that it is possible for the player, or players, byvarying the pressure exerted on the lever, to project the ball to anydesignated point between the top and the bottom of the channel. Locatedat a certain distance from the top of the channel, a green line marksthe point that the ball must be projected to in order to register apoint for that player. If the ball, however, is projected to any pointabove or any point below the green line, the ball falls directlydownward to its original position, ready for the players next attempt.

If, however, the player was skillful enough to depress the thumb leverwith just the proper degree of force to project the ball to the greenthe ball from its original pathway in the channel, through a smallopening into the receiving panel; which retards the balls downwardmovement by a series of inclined planes. The ball, upon reaching thelower part of the receiving panel, strikes a trip which deiiects theball through the lower opening back into the original channel,registering a point in favor of that player as is hereinafter described.

Still another one of the most important objects of this machine is toprovide still further amusement for the player by the comedy introducedby two tiny iigures, one for each player, which indicates the playersrespective standing by climbing a perpendicular pole in a natural andlife-like manner, one position higher each time the player scores agreen line. As the monkey climbs from one position to another, he turnshis head toward the contestant and then back, during his change ofposition.

Still another advantage of this invention is, that as the monkey climbsin successive stages toward the top of the pole (the goal) until one ofthe two has attained that goal, or both, in case of tie, the players mayat any time ascertain their respective standing with each other by thecomparative height each monkey has climbed.

In this invention, Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the assembledmachine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view with a portion of the side of thecabinet cut away for the purpose of exposing the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front detailed view of the receiving panel;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view from the rear of the cabinet;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view looking up at the iioor board 3 (see Fig. 2)

Fig. '7 is an end view of unit;

Fig. 8 is an end View of the winding unit, Fig. 7 illustrating itsrelation to hydraulic pump l0 which is shown in section;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View illustrating further the construction ofthe winding units and their relation to the moving figures;

Fig. 10 is the monkey in the extreme of one of the various posturesassumed while climbing;

Fig. 11 is the monkeys posture before and after each climbing movement;

Fig. 12 is a front view of skeleton construction of monkey shown in Fig.1l;

Fig. 13 is a front View of skeleton construction of monkey shown in Fig.10;

Fig. 14 is a top View of hydraulic pump, Fig. 9.

To play the machine, a coin of the proper denomination is placed in thecoin chute 23 and pushed forward. This permits center plate of chute tostrike rod 61', a continuation of rod 61, which being attached to rod35, raises same, which releases catch 37, which in turn releases bar 36;permitting operating handle 26 to be pressed downward.

the assembled winding Astrings 34 and 62.

Upon pressing handle 26 downward, rod 36 moves upward raising rods 67 toa point where shock absorbing springs 51 reach the bosses 53 which are apart of pumps 10; whereupon the pumps themselves are raised to the limitof their stroke which is reached when end of lever 36 reaches floorboard 3. 1t is understood, of course, that there are two pumps 10, twobosses 53, two springs 51, and two each of rods 36 and 67, etc. so thatthere are two sets of mechanisms, one at each side of the device andeach controlling one of the monkeys. I will, however, limitthedescription substantially to one set of mechanism with the exceptionof the interlocking device as the mechanisms are merely right and lefthand duplicates of each other.

By referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, it is apparent that the rack 24attached to the pump, when raised, will revolve winding member 3l byengaging with pinion 69 in such a manner (in this case setting themachine ready for play) as to unwind the string from the member 3l whichwas wound thereon by the previous players operation.

While the present operation is unwinding the member, at this point itwill facilitate the description ofthe principle of the winding member(Fig. 9) if 'we assume for the time being that the string is being woundon the member.

In the position of the member as shown in Fig. 9, it is apparent that ifthe top of the member 31 is rotated toward the observer, the string 62would be drawn downward the distance from Y to Z; while string 34 would,during this movement, remain stationary. The member having turned onehalf revolution would now draw string 34 downward the same distance thatstring 62 had moved, while string 62 would now remain stationary.

The next'revolution would, then of course, re-

vproduce'the above cycle with the result that of the pair of stringsattached to that member, one string would be moving while the otherremains stationary, andthe reversing of the order would occur at eachhalf revolution of the member.

' Continuing the resetting of the machine, for play, as member 31unwinds, the weight of blocks 41 and 42 will automatically take up slackin The relative movement of blocks 41 and 42 with each other in theirdownward course, is governed by the variable slack created bytheunwinding of the string from the member (Fig. 7).

" TheY monkey-being attached to blocks 41 and 42 in the manner shown inFigs. 10 and 11 will,

-f in descending, assume the various postures possible between the twoextreme postures shown in Fig. lO'and Fig. 11, creating a natural andlifelike movement. The monkey at the top of the pole, the winner,descends alone to the level of the lower monkey, whereupon they bothdescend together to the bottom of the poles. The handles downwardmovement has now brought the monkeys to the bottom of the poles orstarting position. The handle 26 is then released, whereupon it returnsautomatically to its original position causing lower end'of bar 67 toactuate clapper 89 which strikes gong 88 announcing start of game. Thumblever 50, being united to cylinder 29, to which is aixed truss rods 39,constitutes the thumb lever mechanism which operates as a solid unit tolimit the perpendicular movement of truss rods 39,' thus preventingexcessive strain on the light constructed truss rods. V

' Cylinder 29'is providedwith ball bearings for the purpose ofeliminating friction and insuringextreme sensitiveness in action of thethumb lever. The joined ends of truss rods 39 constitutes a bearing forthe reception of the lower end of rod 40. To the upper end of rod isattached a bumper 18, whose function is to project ball 17 upward inchannel 14.

Referring to Fig. 1, assuming that the player on the right hand side hasdepressed thumb lever 50, with the exact degree of force necessary toproject ball 17, to opening 77, magnet unit 12 (composed or" one or moremagnets) located on back of panel 63 will swerve the ball from channel14 through the partition opening 77 provided for that purpose, intoreceiving panel 63; the magnetic attraction is strong enough to swervethe ball in its inert state at the opening 77 but is not strong enoughto sustain it, thus, the ball drops and follows the course indicated inFig. 4.

At the lower section of panel 63, the ball strikes inclined trip 2O andis deected from panel 63 into channel 14. Number 68 is a false front forthe purposel of concealing anextension rod of trip 20 to trigger 70 ofwinding unit (Fig. 7). The trip 20, being struck downward by the ball,

transmits the motion through its extension to trigger 70. The depressingof trigger 70, releasing winding member 3l permits-the lmember torotate, by means of rack 24 and pinion 69, one revolution, whereuponspring l having raised trigger 70 to its former position, the member 31is again held by trigger' 70.

Calling attention to the fact that in Fig. 9, the winding member 31having turned inthe direction indicated by arrow on pinion 69, one halfrevolution, it has by means of the string 34 raised block 41 adistance-corresponding to distance from Y to Z, while string 62 duringthat period of time, and block 42 to which it is attached has remainedstationary.

Block 41 being attached to hind feet ofmonkey 6, has now raised the hindfeet, causing monkey to assume posture as shown in Fig. 10. That halfrevolution, leaving winding member in the position as shown in Fig. 9,it is apparent that the remaining half revolution, by means of VVAstring62, will in turnvraise block 42, while block 4l now remains stationary.Block 42 being Aattached to hands (forefeet) of monkey 6 has now raisedthe hands to a point -where monkey assumes normal posture as in Fig. 11and hasy now completed one climbing cycle.

Member 31, Fig. 9, having completed one revolution permitted by thedepressing of trigger 70, has again reached the point where projectingboss 79 engages in retaining notch 80 in trigger 70, locking member 3luntil player scores another hit. The monkey has now climbed one positioncloser to the top of the pole.

Each subsequent hit scoredy will advance the players monkey one positioncloser -to the top of pole. A number of such advancements or changes ofposition, (in this machine-nine) will bring the monkey to thetop of thepole.

As each player is provided with similar mechanism to advance hisrespective monkey'one point for each hit scored, it is obvious thatvthe'monkey reaching top of pole-first, proclaims the player operatingthat side of the machine to be winner.

The turning ofthe monkeys head while climbing is accomplished by thebent rod 84'supporting head of monkey and terminating in la bend tointersect loop 85 which is rigidly attached to monkeys hindlegs. (SeeFigs. 10-13.)l It is obvious that the relative angles of the hind legswith the body in the two extreme postures Fig. '10 and Fig` 1l Awillimpart apartial 'rotarymo'vement of the head on each change of positionfrom one to the other.

When the winning monkey reaches the top of the pole, the losing monkeyis instantly locked in any position and at any point on the pole it maybe at that time. The principle of the locking mechanism on thecompletion of the game is as follows: Referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9,the weight of the cylinder 10 and its liquid contents has imparted itsforce to pinion 69 on winding member, which, by the winding of thestrings thereon has pulled the winning monkey to the top of pole. Whenthe winning monkey has reached the highest possible point of travel, thecylinder 10 has reached its lowest point. The cylinder 10 on reachingits lowest point rests on and depresses rod 56 whose lower end rests onand in turn depresses flattened end 68 of rod 82 (see Figs. 6 and 8)which transmits an upward movement to ratchet rod 58 on the oppositeplayers winding unit, locking it. Opposite players winding unit islocked in the manner shown by ratchet 57 shown engaged in teeth of gear71 as illustrated in Fig. 8. Opposite players winding unit, beingconstructed in reverse duplicate of Fig. 8 likewise operates extensionrod 81 raising ratchet rod 58 ci' the rst players unit locking hiswinding unit. By this arrangement oi' rods 81 and 82 in Fig. 6, eithercylinder on reaching its lowest point (which means that the attachedmonkey has reached its highest point) instantly locks the winding unitof the opposite player'.

To insure smooth and uniform action o1" the monkeys in climbing and toprevent a too excessive speed of reset of mechanism, the cylinders l0are provided with pistons 86. The cylinders and their liquid contentsnot only operate the mechanism by their weight, but also act as dash potgovernors. The adjusting screw 83 regulates the speed of the piston 86in cylinder l0.

In resetting of the machine for play, the pressing downward of the1handle 26 raises levers 36 which in turn raises cylinders l0 andunwinds the member 3l, thus returning the monkeys to the bottoms oftheir poles. The levers 36 are retarded in their upward movement by thecylinders l0. On the return oi levers 36 to their original position,being now disengaged from the retarding influence of the cylinders 10,the speed of the return movement of the levers 36 is now regulated bydash pot 28 (Fig. 5)

The guide rods 48, Fig. 2, are attached to the sides of cabinet and aordguides for the top ends of rods 67 on which rests shock absorbing spring51. Bosses 53 on pumps 10 are slidable on rods 48.

The four pairs or" pulleys 8 and 9 of which two are shown in Fig. 9 areof equal diameter and are shown in Fig. 9 in diierent diameters tofacilitate the tracing of winding strings 34 and 62 from the windingmember 8l to the winding blocks 41 and 42.

The electric lights 8'? are located in the dividing partitions in such amanner, that they illuminate both the pathway of the steel ball and theclimbing monkeys in the center of the cabinet, ground glass being usedto give a soft even lighting effect.

From the above description, it is believed that the construction andoperation of this device will be clear to those skilled in this art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A competitive amusement device' having a plurality of iigures withmeans individual to each of said iigures for moving them step by stepalong adjacent paths in response to impulses imparted to said means, anda plurality of weights one for each figure together with means forcausing said weights when a predetermined forceis applied thereto toimpart an impulse to the moving means of its respective figure, andmanually operable means to impart force to said weights. i

2. A competitive amusement device having a plurality of figures withmeans individual to each or said figures for moving them step by stepalong adjacent paths in response to impulses imparted to said means, anda plurality of weights one' for each gure together with means forcausing said weights when a predetermined force is Yapplied thereto toimpart an impulse to the moving means of its respective iigure, andmanually operable means to impart force to said weights, said devicehaving means to return said gures to the starting point together afterone has reached the end of the path.

3. A competitive amusement device having a plurality of figures withmeans individual to each oi said gures for moving them step by stepalong adjacent paths in response to impulses imparted to said means, anda plurality of weights one for each figure together with means forcausing said weights when a predetermined force is applied thereto toimpart an impulse to the moving means of its respective figure, andmanually operable means to impart force to said weights, said devicehaving an interlock mechanism to prevent further advance of any iigureafter one reaches the end of its path.

s. A competitive amusement device having a plurality of figures withmeans individual to each of said gures for moving them step by stepalong adjacent paths in response to impulses imparted to said means, anda plurality of weights one for each figure together with means forcausing said weights when a predetermined force is applied thereto toimpart an impulse to the moving means oi its respective gure, andmanually operable means to impart force to said weights, said devicehaving means to return said gure to the starting point together afterone has reached the end of the path, said device having an interlockmechanism to prevent further advance of "any figure after one reachesthe end of its path.

5. An amusement device having a plurality of gures mounted for movementin competition with each other to a goal, and means individual to eachligure for imparting movement to' said figures comprising a hand lever,a weight, means actuated by the hand lever to strike the weight andcause it to rise, and means operative upon said weight when it reaches apredetermined level at a predetermined speed for causing the fall of theweight to advance its associated figure.

6. An amusement device having a plurality of iigures mounted formovement in competition with each other to a goal, and means individualto each figure 1for imparting movement to said figures comprising a handlever, a weight means actuated by the hand lever to strike the weightand cause it to rise, and means operative upon said weight when itreaches a predetermined level at a predetermined speed for causing thefall of the weight to advance its associated gure, and means actuated bythe first lgure to reach goal to prevent further advance of the othergures.

'7. An amusement device having a plurality of gures mounted for movementin competition with each other to a goal, and means individual to eachfigure for imparting movement tosaid gures comprising a hand lever, aweight, means actuated by the hand lever to strike the Weight and causeit to rise, and means operative upon said Weight when it reaches apredetermined level l at a predetermined speed for causing the fall ofthe Weight to advance its associated igurasaid last named meanscomprising a device for deflecting the Weight and causing it to fallover a -different path, and means interposed in said path operativelyconnected to its associated gure to advance the figure when said meansis hit by thev said weight and a separate path ,over which said Weightfalls to its starting point, and means interposed in said pathoperatively connected to its associated gure to advance the gure whensaid means is hit by the Weight. f

9. An amusement device having a plurality of gures mounted for movementin competition with each other to a goal, and means individual to eachfigure for imparting movement to said gures comprising a hand lever, aweight, means actuated by the hand levei1 to strike the weight and causeit to rise, and means operative upon said weight when it reaches apredetermined level ata predetermined speed for causing the fall of theWeight to advance its associated gure,. and mechanism actuated by thefirst gure to reach goal to prevent further advance of the other gures,said last named means comprising a device for deecting the Weight andcausing it to fall over ardifferent path, and means interposed in saidpath operatively connected to its associated iigure to advance the gurewhen said means is hit by the weight.

GLEN D. FLEAK.

